Two days ago, I went to my university’s health center. Now, usually I completely disregard any information I get at the health center on the grounds of either A) I have heard that every year since I first took sex ed in 7th grade, or B) Those ‘doctors’ are full of ish.

But this time, by the luck of the draw, I happened to get a check-up from someone that (gasp!) actually knew what they were talking about. I’m not saying you should listen to this doctor (nurse practitioner, if you want to get technical) instead of your own, but these are a few little known facts I picked up that I thought I would share.

Beware, as these tidbits may scare you away from sex for life (or at least for the night).

1. In order for your birth control to be 99.7% effective, you must take it every day within 30 minutes of the same time.
Apparently, the hormones that make you temporarily infertile only work for 24 straight hours. According to Susan (the nurse practitioner), you should be okay if you miss the time by 1 to 2 hours. If you miss more than that, however, you should use condoms for at least a week. Read More »

This year, to celebrate both Valentine’s Day and National Condom Week (from February 14th to the 21st), in order “to raise awareness about condom use, and to make sure people have all the facts about condoms,” Planned Parenthood Los Angeles launched a Facebook application that lets you send virtual versions of Planned Parenthood’s Proper Attire® condoms to all your friends. 

The more you send, the more colors and styles you can unlock—from basic to colored, studded, and even extra-large. (Editor’s Note: will the studded one bring me more virtual pleasure?)

Sounds like it could be a fun way to spread the message of safe sex with your friends, but does anyone else see how this could be a problem?  Most people I know, myself included, are embarrassed about the idea of buying condoms in a store, so why would I want to flaunt a virtual one on my Facebook page? (Although they’d keep your page protected from viruses, am I right?! I’ll be here all week; don’t forget to tip your wait staff!)

Like… what if you accidentally send one to your mom (who recently joined FB for some scary reason)? Or, if she looks at your page and wonders why you’ve been sent 15 virtual condoms?  Imagine trying to explain that one to her: “Well, my friends know how many condoms I go through….er….I’m always safe!”

Read More »

Two days ago, I went to my university’s health center. Now usually I completely disregard any information I get at the health center on the grounds of either a) I have heard that every year since I first took sex ed in 7th grade, or b) they’re full of ish.

But this time, by the luck of the draw, I happened to get a check-up from someone that (gasp!) actually knew what they were talking about. Now I’m not saying you should listen to this doctor (nurse practitioner if you want to get technical) instead of your own, but these are a few little known facts I picked up that I thought I would share. Beware, as these tidbits may scare you away from sex for life (or at least for the night).

1. In order for your birth control to be 99.7% effective, you must take it every day within 30 minutes of the same time.

Apparently, the hormones that make you temporarily infertile only work for 24 straight hours. According to Susan (the nurse practitioner), you should be okay if you miss the time by 1 to 2 hours. If you miss more than that, however, you should use condoms for at least a week. Read More »